Bottle-washing machine



1952 F. P. KESSLER BOTTLE-WASHING MACHINE 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed Sept. 25, 1948 m m w m FEEDER/(ff P IOFJSLER m A mum JNVENTOR.

NOV. 11, 1952 F, p, ss 2,617,435

BOTTLE-WASHING MACHINE Filed Sept. 25, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 dgwwww A TTORIYEY mately ten to thirteen minutes. convey the bottles through the tanks in upright Patented Nov. 11, 1952 BOTTLE-WASHING MACHINE Frederick P. Kessler, Wauwatosa, Wis., assignor to Michael Yundt Company, Waukesha, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application September 25, 1948, Serial No. 51,150

.This invention relates to improvements in bottle-washing machines, particularly of the type for washing wide-mouth bottles used in the dairy industry.

In machines of this type, bottles are conveyed through a multiplicity of soaking tanks or compartments containing washing fluid (generally a caustic solution), the temperatures ofv which may successively increase and decrease over a range of approximately 110 F. to 165 F. The bottles are usually soaked for total periods of approxi- It is usual to position to permit the cleansing solution to enter their interiors. along each soaking tank there will be no change in the cleansing solution within their interiors. Consequently the temperature of the solution within the bottle will remain lower than the temperature of the solution outside the bottle. Both the factors quickly lower the efficiency of the cleansing action. Hence it is necessary to soak the bottles a long time. The health departments of various States, because of this, require an excessively long soaking time. This either cuts down the capacity of the washing machine or requires the use of unduly large soaking tanks to meet the desired output. Various unsatisfactory attempts have been made to lessen the soaking period by changing the-cleansing solution within the interior of the bottles. The method of successively immersing, raising, and inverting bottles by tortuous conveyer travel and the method of inserting into the bottles nozzles whicheject compressed air or gas to force the solution out of the bottles require expensive and space-consuming machinery. The method of spraying the surface of the solution with streams of the solution under pressure did not effectively change the solution within the bottles.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a bottle-washing machine for wide mouth bottles in which the soaking of the bottles is carried out more effectively and the soaking time needed for cleaning the bottles lessened.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bottle-washing machine in which the cleansing solution in the interior of the bottle while immersed in the soaking tank will be exchanged and the interior temperature of the bottle raised to near that of the cleansing solution by simple and comparatively inexpensively operated means.

-Aistill further object of the invention is to provide a bottle-washing machine having immersed means for changing the cleansing solu- However, as the bottles pass 3 Claims. 01. 134-95 tion within the interior of bottles immersed in such solution which may be properly adjusted While so immersed.

; To obtain these objects the bottle-washing machine has a relatively short soaking tank con- 'taining a volume of cleansing fluid, such as caustic solution, heated to the desired temperature by recirculating the fluid through a heat exchanger. A bottle carrier conveyer enters at one end (entry end) of the tank and advanced by intermittent steps through the tank with the bottles in upright position and fully immerse'duntil it emerges at the other or discharge end. Near the entry end there is a transversely positioned head having a series of nozzles with their orifices immersed in the cleaning fluid. This head is adjustable lengthwise of the tank to aline the nozzleswith a row of bottles as they are at rest at one station between intermittent advances. The nozzles are continuously supplied with heated, filtered, cleansing fiuid taken from the discharge end of the tank under sufficient pressure to create a stream of such fluid emanating from the nozzle orifices and projecting through the fluid in the tank into the mouths of the bottles so stationed. These streams enter into the interior of the bottles with sufficient velocity to force out of the bottle the cleaning fluid then at resttherein and replace it with the .new and warmer cleansing fluid from the nozzles. This raises the temperature within the interior of the bottles, increases the cleansing action, and removes any loose sediment then in the bottles. The fact that the orifices are below the surface keeps the streams more intact and permits them to be directed into the mouths of the bottles, prevents unnecessary foaming and spraying, and permits the use of less pressure to accomplish the desired action. The reentry of the rewarmed fluid at the entry end tends to keep the'temperature of the entire bath more uniform, To also assist in keeping the temperature uniform, a baiiie plate may be installed between the nozzles and the entry end. The baflie plate associated with the movement of the bottles as they pass below the bafile plate tends to kee the warmer solution from mixing with the solution at the entry end which latter solution is cooled by contact with the cool bottles as they enter.

As previously pointed out, the bottles intermittentlycome to rest at a predetermined station. Because the bottles in this station and the nozzle orifices are both submerged it is difficult to determine whether the orifices and the mouths of the bottles are in alignment so that the streams from the nozzles enter the bottles. To accomplish this alinement and adjustment, the nozzle head, which is adjustable lengthwise of the conveyer travel, has mounted on it an indicating hand and dial. The hand is controlled, through lever and rod arrangement by a vertically movable roller which rides on the chain rollers. When the chain stops in the desired position such roller rests on the high point of the chain roller and the hand indicates that the head is properly positioned. If the chain stops at a different position the hand will not be at the zero position and the operator will have to adjust the header until the hand moves to zero position. In such zero position the relationship between the head and the nozzle orifices and the bottles on the conveyer is such that the nozzles will direct their streams into the mouths of the bottle and the chain.

The novel features, which are considered characteristic of the invention, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of a specific embodiment when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in

which:

Fig. l is a view in side elevation of a bottlewashing machine embodying the presentinvention, part being broken away and shown in section for the sake of clarity of illustration;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. I;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view: taken from line 55 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings by reference numerals, the bottle washing machine I0 is the come,-

back type. The bottles are loaded and unloaded at the right hand end as viewed in Fig. 1. The bottles are transferred from the loading end by conventional mechanism (not shown) into bottle carriers l2. These carriers are arranged in transverse rows which are mounted between the links of a pair of spaced conveyor chains it. The chains I4, as viewed in Fig. 1, travel in a clockwise direction and enter the soaking tank l8 vertically downwardly at its entry end [6.

The chains then turn through ninety degrees and travel horizontally above the false bottoms 20. At the discharge end 22 of the tank l8 the chains M turn through approximately ninety degrees and pass upwardly out of the tank. The chains l4 are guided by rails 24 and 26' which engage the chain rollers 28. Each false bottom extends along the path of each bottle carrier in the row and are held by transverse members 39. As the bottle carriers I2 turn onto the horizontal run any bottles therein will rest upon and slide along the false bottoms 2-0. It is desirable to design the bottle carriers l2 so that they will receive the conventional quart size milk bottle indicated at 32. So designed the carriers will also accommodate pint size bottles asindicated at 34. The pint size bottle will be centered on the rear or pushing surface of the carriers l2 as shown in Figs. land 2.

The bottle-washing machine l8, as is customary with. machines of. this. type, is.:also. provided with other tanks which have associated with them apparatus for applying a pressure rinse, a sterilizing rinse, and an air brush and fresh water rinse. These tanks and apparatus, which do not form a part of this invention and are therefore not shown in the drawings, are positioned in the upper portion of the machine. The conveyor chains are advanced in intermittent steps, each advance being the length of a chain pitch. The mechanism for accomplishing this advance is also of standard design and is not shown. However, the bottle carrier rows come to a rest substantially at a predetermined station during each intermittent advance. In this embodiment of the invention there are approximately forty-one links along the horizontal run of the soaker tank and when the chain is advanced at approximately eight strokes or links per minute each row of bottle carriers will remain in the soaking tank approximately five minutes. The soaking time is decreased if the speed or capacity of the machine is increased. It is therefore necessary that th activity of the cleansing action in the soaking tank be increased so that a thorough cleaning takes place within the minimum allotted time.

In accomplishing this end, the soaking tank is filled to the level indicated with a solution of caustic soda or other cleansing fluid. As the bottles pass along the false bottoms 20 they will be completely immersed in the solution which will then fill the upright bottles. The cleaning solution is heated to and maintained at approximately F. The heating is done by a heat exchanger 35 connected with the lower portion of the discharge end 22 of the tank ill by pipe 38, strainer 40, and pump 42, a control valve 44 being placed between the strainer and the pump. The discharge end of the heat exchanger 36 is connected by pipe 46 to a pair of headers 50, each having a nozzle 52 in alinement with each bottle carrier in a transverse row of carriers. It isv desirable to have a section of rubber hose 49 between each header 50 and the pipe 46 to permit adjustment of the headers. A valve 48 is also placed in the pipe 46 to control flow. In the normal conditions of operation the nozzles 52 project well below the level of the cleansing fluid and their orifices are fully immersed and positioned only slightly above the open tops of the bottle carriers [2. When the tank I8 is filled to the indicated level the cleansing fiuidmaybe recirculated by the pump 42 from the discharge end 22 of the tank through the heat exchanger 38 and back into the tank through the nozzles 52. The pump preferably has a capacity of approximately one hundred fifty gallons per minute so that considerable pressure may be supplied at the orifices of the nozzles to create a stream of the cleansing fluid which emanates from the orifices and projects through the fluid in the tank and the open top of the bottle carriers l2 into the mouths of' bottlestherein. It isdesirable to provide the heat exchanger 38- with a sufficient capacity to initially raise the temperature of the solution in the tank from approximately seventy degrees to approximately one hundred fifty degrees in about two hours. The source of heat may be steam supplied to the exchanger 36 through the pipes 54; 56. Once the temperature of the-bath in-the tank is raised to approximately one hundred fifty degrees, considerably less boiler horsepower is required to maintain it at that temperature by constant recirculation of th cleansing fluid through the heater. 1

it is desirable to increase the length of time that the caustic solution may be used. This can be done by filtering it duringthe operation of the washing machine. To this end a diatomaceous earth type filter 58 is connected to pipe 46 between the heat exchanger 36 and the valve 48 by a. T connectionand pipe 68. The filtrate side of the filter 58 is connected by pipe 62 to a threeway .valve 64. This valve selectively connects the filter to a fresh water intake 66 or pipe 68 leading back to the strainer 40. The drain for the filter discharges to the sewer through pipe under control of valve 12. .By regulating the valve 48 a portion of the solution passing through heater 36 may be bypassed through the filter 58, thence back through the strainer into circulation. By this continuous bypassing of a portion of the filter the entire volume of the cleansing solution in the tank may be kept clear. The filter may be cleaned by flushing fresh water from the intake 66 through the pipe 62 and out into the sewer through control of valve 12.

One of the features of this invention resides in the placement of the headers 50 adjacent the entry end I6. This end of the soaking tank tends to become cooler more rapidly than the discharge end because of the continual immersion therein of bottles and bottle carriers colder than the bath. The continuous discharge of reheated solution therefore heats this end of .the tank, thus making the temperature throughout the tank more uniform. In addition to this feature, the temperature of the interiors of the bottles is raised to substantially that of the exteriors of the bottles by the stream of rewarmed solution which enters into the interiors with sufficient velocity to force out the cooled cleaning solution then at rest within the bottle. It is desirable to place a baffle plate 74 across the tank l8 at its entry end. The plate 14 reacting with the clockwise movement of the bottle carriers I2 keeps the warmer solution within the central portion of the tank from entering into the entry end It. The solution in the entry end thus stays cooler than that of the remainder of the tank and acts as a preheating chamber to partially bring the bottles up to temperature and thus prevent cracking due to a sudden change of temperature. Another feature resides in the formation of the streams of reheated cleansing solution from immersed orifices. This prevents undesirable foaming and turbulence prior to the entry of the stream into the mouths of the bottle. While there are two headers 58 shown in Fig. 1, the number of these may be varied. In some instances even one may suffice. Under other con ditions more than two may be needed. The initial condition of bottles to be washed is usually the controlling factor.

To more readily accommodate the washing machine for use in connection with pint size as well as quart size bottles, the nozzles are angled from the vertical approximately eleven degrees so that the stream will be directed toward the 'mouth of the pint size bottle 34' without interference from the opening in the top of the bottle carrier i2. As heretofore stated, the pint size bottle will be at the rear or pushing surface of the bottle carrier I2 and hence its mouth will not be in vertical alinement with the opening in the top of the carrier.

As previously explained each row of bottle carriers comes to rest at a predetermined station. However, this station cannot be accurately judged in relation with the submerged nozzle and orifice because the operator-willv notbe able to view their alinement. It is desirable, therefore, to provide a visible mechanical device for accurately alining the nozzle orifice with the carriers when in a predetermined station. Such a device is indicated generally at 16 and shown in detail in Figs. 3, 4, and 5. It consists of a'base plate 18 to which the header 50 is secured by a bolt and plate clamping device indicated at 80. When loose this clamping device slidesin slots in the inturned upper edges 82 of the side of the tank to permit the plate 78 to be moved longitudinally of the tank and lets the header in be rotated to adjusted position. Upon taking off the upper plate of the clamping device the header 50 may be removed for cleaning. When tightened the clamping device holds the header in desired position. The plate 18 has a portion-projecting inwardly of the tank to which is fixedly vertically mounted a tubular bearing 8E. This bearing supports for vertical movement a rod 86, the lower end of which has a yoke 88 in which is supported a roller 90. The roller 90 rides-on the chain rollers 28, there being a notch Si in the-upper guide 24 to permit such contact. A pin and slot arrangement 92 between bearing 8 and rod lit-permits of limited relative vertical movement of the rod and keeps the roller 93 from contactingthe links of the chain with respect to the bearing. A coil spring 9:8 positioned around the rod 86 and-reacting between it and the top of the bearing continuously urges the roller downwardly. As the chain advances, the roller 90 will first ride up chain roller 28 until the chain roller is directly below the axis of the roller 90, and then as the chain continues to move the roller 90 will again ride down the chain roller 28. Thuswhen the chain roller stops directly beneath the roller- 90, the rod 86 will be at its maximum height. 'To visibly determine this maximum position of the rod 86 there is provided a bell crank '96 pivoted in a bracket 98 mounted on the plate' 'l-fl. The upper arm of the bell crank 96 constitutes an indicator which cooperates with a calibrated gauge I [ill to indicate the maximum correct position. The distance between the header 50 and the bearing 84 is fixed so that whenthe center of the roller 90 is directly in line with the center of the chain roller 28, the nozzle 52 when at'rest in the station (positioned at substantially the eleven degree angle) will be aimed toward the opening in the top of the bottle carrier [2 and the mouths of either a quart or pint size bottle will be in the normal position therein. Small window-like openings I02 may be placed in the sheathing of the washing machine so that the gauge I00 and indicating finger will be visible from outside the machine. To make an adjustment the operator need only loosen the clamping device and slide the plate 18 back and forth until the gauge indicates the maximum or correct position. The clamping device is then tightened and the nozzle automatically properly positioned and locked with respect to the carriers in that station.

The washing machine heretofore desoribed is operated in the following manner. The tank I8 is filled to approximately the indicated level with fresh water from the source 66 through control of the valve 64 and the valve 44. The desired proportion of caustic either in liquid or powdered form is then added to make the desired strength cleansing solution. After the valve 64 is closed, the valve 44 is then opened and the pump 42 started. This circulates the solution in the tank aeimss through the heater 36 and until that solution is brought up to the desired temperature of say 150 F. Thereafter the solution in the tank is continuously recirculated in the amount desired under control of valve 44. The, conveyer chain 14 is then operated and bottles loaded into the carriers l2 at the loading end. The carriers and the bottles enter into the cleansing solution at the entry end [6 and are immersed therein, the solution entering the bottles as they. swing from horizontal, to vertical position. As a row of bottles comes to rest under the first header 50. the stream of recirculated and reheated solution ejected from the nozzles 52 will enter into the mouths of the bottles and force out the solution therein. At the same time any loose sediment will also be ejected from the bottles. This raises the temperature of the interior of the bottles and stimulates the cleansing action of the solution. As the bottles progress to the second header i] the solution in the bottle will remain unchanged. When the bottles come to rest at the second header the solution within the interior of the bottles is again changed and the interior temperature raised to that of the exterior. Because of the increased activity of the cleansing action of the solution as the result of the changing of the contents of the bottle at least once in each header station, the bottles are so cleaned that the soaking period may be lowered to approximately five minutes or less. During the recirculation of the cleansing solution a sufficient portion of it may be bypassed through the filter 58 under the control of valve 48 to maintain the entire volume of the solution substantially clear.

Although only one embodiment of the invention is shown and described herein, it will be understood that this application is intended to cover such changes or modifications as come within the spirit of the invention or scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a bottle-washing machine, a soaking tank having a longitudinally extending horizontal member for slidably supporting a bottle thereon in upright position with the mouth of the bottle uppermost, a body of cleaning solution in said tank having the liquid level surface thereof spaced above the mouth of a bottle on said member whereby said bottle is filled with said solution, means advancing in intermittent steps and engaging the side of said bottle below said mouth to advance said bottle from one stationary position to another stationary position on said member, means forchanging the solution in said bottle while in a stationary position comprising a header positioned above said liquid, level surface adjacent said stationary position, a straight sided nozzle extending from said header downw'ardly into said solution, said nozzle being directed toward the mouth of said bottle in said station, said nozzle having an orifice positioned well below said liquid level surface and above the mouth of said bottle in said station. said nozzl directing a confined non-flaring submer ed streamof said solution from. said orifice into said mouth without causing foaming and spraying at said liquid level surface and with sufficient velocity to force out of said bottle the cleaning solution therein and to replace said solution with solution from said nozzle, and means including a pump for forcing solution from said tank to said header and to said nozzle with sufficient pressure to cause said nozzle to create said submerged stream.

2.A bottle-washing machine as claimed in claim 1 in which said nozzle is angled from vertical approximately eleven degrees so that said submerged stream will also be directed into the mouth of a pint size milk bottle advanced to rest in said stationary position by said means.

3. A bottle-washing machine as claimed in claim 1 in which said header is adjustable within narrow ranges with respect to said stationary position by a clamping device positioned above said liquid level surface whereby said nozzle and said submerged stream can be adjusted so as to enter directly into the mouth of a bottle in said station.

FREDERICK P, KE SSLEB.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

